Experiential Learning Abroad · May 2027
France IsThe Classroom.
Nine days of French history, culture and competitive soccer — studied where it happened. Students train and play against European professional academies, then walk the landmarks and streets they have only read about.
The Course
History, Culture & Soccer.
This experiential learning course combines the study of French history, culture, geography and society with competitive soccer and physical education. Through immersive travel in France, students learn beyond the traditional classroom — visiting historic landmarks, museums, cultural sites, professional soccer environments and local communities, while taking part in structured athletic training and competition.
Students explore significant periods of French and European history through guided visits to landmarks and sites, and cultural excursions examine French architecture, art, traditions, cuisine, geography and the development of modern French society.
The athletic component treats soccer as both physical education and cultural study. Students take part in training sessions, technical and tactical instruction, fitness work, team practices and competitive matches against international opponents — and examine the role soccer plays in French culture and how the sport developed in Europe, with exposure to professional facilities, academies, coaches and players.
Through travel and hands-on experience, students build cultural awareness, communication, teamwork, leadership, physical fitness, problem-solving and personal responsibility. They are expected to take an active part in excursions, athletic activities, group discussions and reflective assignments that connect what they experience abroad to what they study in class.
Academic Areas
Credit-bearing study across five connected disciplines.
- World History / European History
- French Culture & Geography
- Cultural Studies
- Physical Education / Athletics
- Global Studies
Where They Go
The South Of France, And Paris.
The trip is based in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, with an optional two-day extension to Paris at the end.
Provence & The Riviera
Six nights based in the south. Guided visits examine the architecture, art, traditions, cuisine and geography of the region, alongside the tournament and training. The Mediterranean coast and the Provençal towns are the classroom for the history and geography strands of the course.
Paris
Two additional days in the capital. The Paris leg is where students visit the landmarks that anchor the European history strand — the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe — and see how a single city holds so much of the national story.
The Soccer
Four To Five Matches.
Against Academies.
Students play 11v11 under French Football Federation rules, in 20–25 minute halves, against European professional club academies and international teams travelling in for the tournament. This is not a showcase against other American clubs.
Sessions & Instruction
Structured training, technical and tactical work, fitness and team practices alongside the match schedule — the physical education strand of the course, delivered on French pitches.
Professional Facilities
Exposure to professional soccer environments, academies, coaches and players, so students can see for themselves how the European development pathway actually works.
Soccer As Culture
Students examine the role of soccer within French culture and the development of the sport in Europe — why a club means what it means to a city like Marseille.
Learning Objectives
What Students Will Be Able To Do.
By the completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain important events, people, places and periods in French and European history.
- Describe the cultural, geographic and social characteristics of the regions visited.
- Analyze how historic landmarks and cultural institutions reflect France’s history and identity.
- Compare aspects of French and American culture, education, sports and daily life.
- Demonstrate improved soccer skills, physical fitness, tactical understanding and teamwork.
- Explain the cultural and social significance of soccer in France and Europe.
- Apply communication, collaboration, leadership and problem-solving skills in an international environment.
- Reflect on how firsthand experience can deepen understanding of historical and cultural topics studied in class.
Experiential Learning
Not From A Textbook.
Rather than learning exclusively from textbooks, students use France as their classroom. Historic sites, museums, cultural experiences, soccer facilities, training sessions and competitive matches serve as the primary learning experiences, with reflective activities and academic assignments connecting them back to course themes.
The course culminates in a broader understanding of how history, culture, geography and athletics intersect — while challenging students to become more independent, adaptable, globally aware and responsible learners.
Tuition
One Program Fee.
Nine days, four to five competitive matches, and a full cultural and academic program. International airfare is arranged separately.
France 2027 · Program Tuition
$2,350Per Student
- Six nights’ lodging in the south of France
- All ground transfers throughout the trip
- Tournament entry and match operations
- Guided cultural tours and excursions
- Meals, events, and on-site staff and guides
International airfare is not included and is typically $1,000–$1,400 per person. The optional two-day Paris extension is priced separately. Final inclusions are confirmed in your program packet.
Who Travels
Boys And Girls, U13 To U19.
The tournament runs age groups for boys at U18/U19, U17, U16 and U15/U14, and for girls at U16, U15 and U14/U13. Students travel as a DME group with our staff.
Credit-Bearing
The trip is run as a course, not a holiday. Students complete reflective activities and assignments that connect the travel to the five academic areas.
Real Competition
Four to five matches against academy and international opposition, with training and instruction across the week between fixtures.
Staffed Throughout
DME staff travel with the group, with on-site staff and guides provided throughout the tour by the tournament organisers.
More From The Club
Where This Fits.
France is one part of what the club does. Here is the rest.
The Competitive Program
MLS NEXT, National Academy League, GA Aspire and more, across 38 teams.
See The Program School PartnershipsOur Schools
The academic side of the club, and how student-athletes combine school with training.
See Our Schools The Whole StaffMeet The Coaches
Licensed, screened and on the same philosophy — including the staff who travel.
Meet The StaffNine Days In France.A Year Of Perspective.
Places are limited and travel documents take time. Send us your athlete’s name and age group and we will send the full program packet, payment schedule and passport deadlines.